Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Korea Report: Myeongdong

(Note from Author: I will update this post by posting a clear photo of the Myeongdong Map I got from the hotel when I have the time, kindly wait)

There's so many reasons why I learn to say "Myeongdong" first before "Hello" in Korean! Wherever you may be in Seoul, Myengdong would definitely come up on top of your head or your travel mate's head! It's the best place to shop especially if you're ...

1. A girl

2. A girl who loves makeup

3. A girl who loves to eat

4. A boy who loves to eat

5. A boy who has a girl who is nos. 1, 2 and 3!

**Photo is Lotte Young Mall right across Hotel Ibis Ambassador Myeongdong

I did not plan to purchase much Korean cosmetics because I'm not the type who hoard and not being able to use it! Most of my cosmetics go straight to my train case so I am very picky when it comes to buying one! That, enough said does not mean I won't be buying anything at all! When you walk along the streets of Myeongdong, here are several Korean cosmetic brands you may or may be not familiar with! Whatever the case, you will be enticed to check them out because of the gorgeous displays and ladies trying to give you something just to "window shop"!

Let's start with brand that are huge back home...

The Face Shop

Skin Food

Etude House

Sandara Park as their current model!

A lot of brands known to beauty enthusiasts because of blogs but it's nice to see and touch their products in person!

Missha

Skin79

This one is located inside the department store

and usually have their own counters.

It's Skin

Nature Republic

As you can see, I am obviously happy with the nail polishes!

Though we're always complaining that we rarely use masks because we don't find them working, one thing I've observed about Korea, they have masks sold everywhere, usually by the bulk! Judging by their gorgeous skin and the supply of masks, maybe, this is one of their many beauty secret? :)

Most hotels provide Myeongdong Map, imagine a map of Disneyland, you have landmarks and shop names written all over the map so you won't get lost! I find the map quite useful as there are so many turns and alleys and you can easily ask for directions on your whereabout with a map on hand!

Random shot of cute contact lens case! I will definitely purchase this if I'm a contact lens wearer!

Another ninja shot of cute socks! They even have the faces of Korean actors and actresses on it! Who likes stepping on your favorite Korean stars? (Not me for sure!)

Gorgeous displays of Korean Silver accessories! I am literally drooling but some are quite huge for my tiny ears!

When we talk about random stuff, how can I give food a miss? I'm with Mr. AMW remember? Believe it or not, I never lasted more than 5 minutes in one store because there's just so much to see! One tip is to write down what you need so you don't get diverted into looking through other stuff you don't need. I find the sales ladies quite helpful and some of them can speak Chinese! So that's a huge plus for me. If you don't, it''s okay, most of them can speak a bit of English and Japanese as well!

Let's get back to food, so many street food available for you to munch on while you checkout shops after shops!

These are the different sausages on a stick and you can put on mustard and ketchup to taste! I put both!

Had Bibimbahp inside a restaurant! Tastes really good! I found that some Korean restaurants in the Philippines do serve similar tasting Bibimbahp!

Random dumplings!

More Street Food!

The price of most streetfood ranges 2,000-3,000 Won per order or per piece! That costs approximately Php80.00-120.00! Don't be wary in trying out what your senses tells you to! Most of the street food I had tastes really good! Will do a special post about them soon!

Before I end this post, here's to share some cute mascots I've met at Myeongdong...

A lot of my readers asked about my haul! Sorry, I won't be able to show them as some of them are gifts and some were purchased for friends! I will definitely show you what I got for myself when I get back home!

A lot of you also asked about the price of Korean Cosmetics. They are definitely cheaper than back home! Some are approximately 10-20% cheaper while other stories can go upto 50% cheaper than in Manila!

It's nice to know the price back home before you travel so you can compare!

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing! Next stop...N Seoul Tower!

as what you said before... facial masks seems like a big hit to korean, japanese & taiwanese market. though i personally think it doesn't work... maybe i just haven't found a mask that's compatible with my skin?

love the mascot pics that you took! you & hubby look so cute & happy with your adventure!^_^

Hey! That awfully too cute mask sheets pic taken after the Nature republic one is from Etude house is it? It's riduculously cheaper tt what we get here lol, 10 sheets of mask for the price of 10000won. WOW!!! Go lucky girl!!!

Okay, that's it... I WANNA VISIT KOREA AGAIN! They have a lot of awesome stuff! Glad you're enjoying!!! :DI was only 10 when I went to Korea and back then, of course, the hype wasn't too much unlike now (& I was just a kid so basically, i can only appreciate toys and amusement parks haha!)

Jenn! Thanks for the compliment! hahahaha I enjoyed writing about my experience, I usually do it on my notebook but what the heck? This is like my diary! I love doing this while its still fresh inside my head :)I'll share my haul soon!

dianneregina, sad to say, I haven't purchased anything from Tony Moly, only their acetone! hahaha I hate it! when I'm there I just get so lost I don't know what I want to buy! hahahha

Angelamhiere, awww so sorry, but hey, it's a starting point for you to want to go and start saving up!!! Tara! Do it na :)

Traveliztera, oh no! 10 years old in Korea? hahaha I'm sure now when you get back, You'll shop more! Eventhough its a place of cosmetics, I actually appreciates the nature and some tourist spots rather than just shopping :)

Mona, hahahh that's a fake garfield I think, I asked the same question and I was laughing so hard! But the sexy garfield is quite nice! hahaha

Yes Marge, Jihoo my lab will replace BYJ na! :) He's such a cutey on the photo of TFS! Anyways, there is Tony Moly there, just wasn't able to take shots of it! I guess i was busy eating streetfood! or the camera guy was busy eating streetfood when we got in Tony Moly! hahhaha :) Sinisi pa siya no? :D

omg! you don't knw how useful your blog is to me right now. I'm going to Korea with my friend on November and both of us are first timers. So this will be very helpful. Thanks! I'm so excited to buy cosmetics, eat authentic korean food and street food. ^_^ Btw, how's the weather there? was it cold?

omg! you don't knw how useful your blog is to me right now. I'm going to Korea with my friend on November and both of us are first timers. So this will be very helpful. Thanks! I'm so excited to buy cosmetics, eat authentic korean food and street food. ^_^ Btw, how's the weather there? was it cold?